FLIGHT RISK.

SCIENCE journalism; BIRD populations; CICONIIFORMES; WATER birds; BARRIER islands; BIRD declines; MIGRATORY animals

Without productive habitat at key stopovers like the Gulf Coast - where they replenish depleted energy reserves, primarily by eating insects - "the birds are less likely to complete their migrations or arrive in time to breed successfully", he adds. For migratory species - where up to 85 percent of mortality can occur during migration - strategically located stopovers such as the Gulf Coast count among the birds' most vital habitats. By slowing habitat loss, along with taking steps such as reducing light pollution and keeping cats indoors, "we can decrease the mortality that has led to bird population declines", Rosenberg says. [Extracted from the article]

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